Is it good for the brain the occasional use of mind altering substances? (addiction, college)

[DelmarvaNative]

it's almost impossible to discern whether you discover anything with what 'the substance' provides or whether time and experience would show you something even more profound...

[Sassybluesy]

Originally Posted by Rocko20

Our cavemen ancestors carried on just fine without any mind altering substances. The human brain and body simply doesn’t need it.

I don't know about cavemen, but alcohol is talked about in the Bible, and is not condemned in and of itself. Also, MANY indigenous cultures used and use mind altering substances in their religious rituals.


And up to fairly recently in U.S. history, people were free to indulge in pot/hemp/thc, etc. (1937 was the year that pot was outlawed on the federal level based on a lot of misinformation and even racial prejudice.)


California was the first state to outlaw pot, and that was mostly because of the up and coming pharma companies.


Our first president had a hemp farm.

[XRiteMA98]

IMO you are free to try whatever you want as often as you want. Not for me, thank you. I'm fine with tobacco and beer. I'm allergic to canabis.

[Serious Conversation]

I drink.

I think alcohol can act as a social lubricant, but I don't think there's much to be gained by being blackout drunk.

[elmejor77]

Originally Posted by elnina

What mind altering substances you have in mind, OP. Clarification needed.

Well, most substances have mind altering properties. There were wars fought over spices centuries ago, and if the production of sugar was interrupted there would be massive riots. Let alone caffeine.

But I was thinking about banned substances, like cocaine, marihuana, LSD, etc.

I read articles about people having higher IQ scores while being high on cocaine...being super creative while high on marihuana, and unblocking emotional trauma while high on LSD.

Unfortunately, research on those substances is limited.

[Cida]

Nope.

[kitty61]

Originally Posted by elmejor77

In order to see the big picture, should a person consciously try substances, every now and again (let's say once a month, or once a year) ?

Pot or LSD are known scientifically to expand the mind. There are receptors in the brain that are created for this reason.

[jonesg]

Originally Posted by kitty61

Pot or LSD are known scientifically to expand the mind. There are receptors in the brain that are created for this reason.

No they arent.
Unless your concept of an expanded mind is founded on emotional immaturity and delusion.

[jonesg]

Originally Posted by DelmarvaNative

it's almost impossible to discern whether you discover anything with what 'the substance' provides or whether time and experience would show you something even more profound...

People who have spiritual experiences brought on by spiritual practice dont suffer from delusions
that can easily occur from inauthentic drug induced activity.

[jonesg]

Originally Posted by Sassybluesy

I don't know about cavemen, but alcohol is talked about in the Bible, and is not condemned in and itself

Alcohol abuse is condemned.
Some things cant be used reasonably, like heroin.
Some things are so subtle the damage is elusive.
User beware.